A new Chairman!Peter takes overfrom John at theAnnual Dinner.See our report
Journal of theJournal of theJournal of theJournal of theJournal of the
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Speakers & Events Diary
Any suggestions for speakers or other
activities to David Turner or John Davis.
One member per month will be
responsible for finding a speaker - or
speak themselves.
Please Note: Please Note: Please Note: Please Note: Please Note: Unavoidable changes to this
list may occur from time to time. Refer to the
club website for the latest updates:
www.watlingstreetclub.co.uk
Chairman Peter HORSTMAN
Chairman Elect Steve ALLEN
ImmPast Ch’mn John DAVIS
Secretary Mike CHAPPLE
Treasurer Alan BINGHAM
Fellowship John FRANCIS
Fund Raising David TURNER
Speaker prog. David TURNER
& John DAVIS
Publicity & Tony GOMERSAL
Journal Editor
Archives
Meeting place : The Old Hunters
Lodge Whipsnade
Meeting time : 19.30 for 20.00
Apologies
for absence Peter HORSTMAN
Items are accepted for publication at the
Editor’s discretion.
The Editor reserves the right to edit for clar-
ity or length.
Contributors are responsible for ensuring
material submitted by them does not
breach copyright or they have obtained
permission, in writing, for its reproduction.
Content is subject to copyright.
Formed 5th Nov 2008
First meeting 13th Nov 2008
First Chairman Neil MUNRO
EDITEDITEDITEDITEDITORIALORIALORIALORIALORIAL
July 01 Chairman’s Dinner and Handover
07 The California Ballroom Penny Silford
14 A Talk Norman Baker
21 BUSINESS MEETING
28 LADIES NIGHT
Secrets of a Store Detective Josie Jeffries
Aug 04 Pubs Signs Jean Yates
11 A Talk Norman Lee
18 BUSINESS MEETING
25 LADIES NIGHT
Dunstable Stories Rita Swift
Sept 01 TBA
08 A Talk Robert Doody
15 BUSINESS MEETING
22 LADIES NIGHT
Help for Heroes WingCo Steve Smith
29 TBA
Another new year in our Club’s his-
tory begins with the Handover to our
new Chairman, Peter Horstman.
The Chairman’s Dinner and Handover
took place on 1st July at the Woburn
Hotel and was most enjoyable. See
our pics in the following pages.
We have another bumper edition for
you to wade through, on which note
may I thank Sheila O’Hara for her re-
port on the Watling Walkers. Also
thanks to John Stevens for his help
once again whilst I was on holiday -
and thanks to all others who have
contributed.
TG
CHAIRMAN’SCHAIRMAN’SCHAIRMAN’SCHAIRMAN’SCHAIRMAN’S
COLUM COLUM COLUM COLUM COLUMNNNNN
The past year has flown by. I have enjoyed being the chair of our Club although
I can’t in all honestly think that I have done much other than open and close our
meetings, the hard work of keeping things moving along being undertaken by
those we all know without whose input the Club would not function.
I thought the handover went well with several members saying how much they
enjoyed the evening. I am pleased that we have a deputy chair which provides
the Club with some continuity. I wish Peter all success for the coming year and
know that members will give him the same level of support that I was able to
enjoy.
John
Another year with a new chairman.
My thanks to John for presiding over another year of great friendship and
fellowship in his own inimitable way.
I am always amazed that most of our members have known each other
for some thirty three years, meeting every week. True friendship. May it
continue in the future.
The coming year presents us with a number of challenges in respect of
fund raising as we are all getting older, finding it difficult to respond to
requests for assistance to help at various functions but I am sure we will
continue to do so.
I sincerely hope that we all,
members and their ladies,
continue to enjoy each
others company and the
activities that we are
presented with and look
forward to another
successful year.
Peter.
John Bates
Interest in Shackleton, John’s boyhood
hero, was cemented when John was
taken to see the feature film ‘Scott of the
Antarctic’ and this resulted in some
personal research.
Shackleton was born on Feb 15th in
Kilkee, County Clare and attended
Dulwich College where he excelled, and
on leaving, joined the Royal Navy where
he quickly became the youngest serving
Captain.
Aged 27 he was a member of Capt
Robert F Scott’s 1901-04 Antarctic
expedition. He sledged partway across the Ross Ice Shelf. He was however not
entirely happy with Scott’s organisation and man management skills. This
unsuccessful attempt encouraged him, upon return to the UK, to seek funding and
support from the Admiralty to mount an expedition of his own. He had little difficulty
in amassing enough volunteers to join him. They set sail in ‘Nimrod’ in January 1908.
Before winter set in a party scaled Mt. Erebus and found that it showed some
evidence of volcanic activity. That summer Shackleton began his journey to the
South Pole, pioneering a route via the Beardmore Glacier. His use of Manchurian
ponies to pull the sledges proved unsuccessful and with only 97 miles (155
Kilometres), to reach his goal, and with dwindling supplies, he was forced to return to
his ship. On March 1st the Admiralty ordered his return. He was knighted upon his
return to England.
On his next Antarctic venture (1914-1916) he planned to cross the continent from
the Weddell Sea to McMurdo Sound via the South Pole, but his ship ‘Endurance’
was crushed after drifting in pack ice for nine months. After experiencing harrowing
conditions and drifting for another 5 months, the ship had to be abandoned and the
team escaped in small boats to Elephant Island, in the South Shetland group.
Shackleton and 5 others then sailed 800 miles (1300 kilometres) in a whaleboat to
South Georgia to seek aid. He then led four relief expeditions before succeeding in
rescuing his men from Elephant Island. John very graphically described the hardship
that all experienced in this undertaking. Frost bite and the actual duration of the
attempts (294 days), and the limited diet of seal and whale meat had taken its toll.
They made their way to a Norwegian whaling station at Rivington, unshaven, dirty,
and ill clad for the conditions, were taken in and given much needed medical care.
To his credit, Shackleton took 28 men to Antarctic and brought 28 back to the UK.
He died on January 5th 1922 at Grytviken, South Georgia. 48 years of age.
John gave the vote of thanks for an interesting and passionate presentation, which
was endorsed by all present. This report by John Stevens
Earnest ShackletonEarnest ShackletonEarnest ShackletonEarnest ShackletonEarnest Shackleton2nd June
with Jackie Burke.
Jackie has been looking after hedghogs for
some time and has dealt with up to 150
every year.
Some of these have bad injuries others just
need TLC.
Jackie read from her book written by her
partner, who is also a graphic designer. The
book is about hedgehog care and is one
way that Jackie raises funds to help
defray costs and enable her to
continue with her work caring for
hedgehogs which are as a species in
serious decline.
She showed a number of objects that
were the litter thrown away by
thoughtless members of the public that
can cause great hurt to the hedghog
population. These included bottle tops,
garden netting, elastic bands etc. and
were called ‘her little box of horrors’.
Jackie had brought along one of her
‘patients’ who cuddled up in a towel as
Jackie told us all about their care and problems as she walked round
the room for our club members to inspect and admire.
Currently these little animals are mating
and their young are being born, so if
you see hedgehogs in the daytime, they
mat be in trouble as they are nocturnal
normally.
They are sometimes attacked by dogs,
or poisoned by slug pellets, so if you
see a hedgehog in distress then call
Jackie on 01525 759916 and she will
offer advice and even rescue if
necessary.
An interesting talk and presentation for
which Jackie was thanked by our
chairman John Davis.
Hedgehogs
Hedgehogs
Hedgehogs
Hedgehogs
Hedgehogs26th May
Brian McVey
Brian contained his talk to 3 artists
and to enhance this presentation,
displayed on screen examples of each
and described their particular
attributes and technique.
1, An Englishman,’ Christopher
Nevison’, trained at The Slade, and
was influenced by the ‘Futurist
Movement’ and Cubism, an area that
Picasso became famous. He was sent to
France, despite being a chronic asthmatic, as a medical orderly, and war artist, serving in the
French army lines. He suffered as a result of his condition, and was repatriated back to the UK.
He had however amassed a number of sketches of his time at the front, which enabled him to
mount an exhibition, which was highly critical of the conditions, and was subsequently criticised
and censored by the War Office and officialdom. The poster promoting this was shown. Some
examples of his work were described with particular reference to geometric shapes, sharp lines
and limited detail, enticing the viewer to draw their own conclusions. He produced highly
atmospheric pictures, one in particular, entitled ‘Angels of death’ showed a machine gunner and
loader which left nothing to the imagination. Soldiers marching, showing them leaning forward to
give the impression of urgency/speed and a sketch entitled ‘Dog Tired’ showing exhausted soldiers
at rest.
2, Another Englishman, Sir William Orpren. He too studied at The Slade. His expertise was
portraiture and he was called upon to paint a number of the senior military leaders of the day. He
spent longer in France than most war artists, but was not exposed to the front line. His painting,
entitled ‘The Spy’ was shown. This dramatic portrait, was of a young lady purporting to be a
resistance member, but it was subsequently identified that she was Yvonne Albrick his mistress.
Orpren was knighted at the war end. Bryan related a story that Orpren was able to purchase a
Rolls Royce tourer, and as was the norm at the time did not drive but employed a chauffeur. His
relationship with Yvonne lasted just 10 years when she ran off with the chauffeur. Whether she
took the car as well was not disclosed!
There are a number of examples of Orpren’s work to be seen in The Imperial War Museum.
3, An Austrian, who studied for a short time at the Vienna Academy, and was considered a
competent water colourist with a keen eye and technical ability. An example of his work entitled
‘Ruined Cloisters’ was shown. This artist, a complex individual was wounded twice, gassed, and
had subsequent sight problems which curtailed his artistic ambitions. His name, which was
disclosed at the end of the talk, was ‘Adolph Hitler’. Perhaps if he had been able to continue his
studies as a young man, he would not have been tempted to take the path he did!
Brian thanked us for our attention and said that he had reduced his talk to suit us, but had other
artists that he had researched and could talk about. I am sure David will no doubt take up his
offer.
Brian runs an art appreciation group in our local U3A, and is called upon to give talks to various
groups/organisations for which the reward is a cup of tea and perhaps a cake or biscuit. He was
quite appreciative of a two course meal. This report by John Stevens
23rd June
World War I - Art
Penny SilfordPenny SilfordPenny SilfordPenny SilfordPenny Silford
Penny is obviously too young to havebeen at the California Ballroom duringthose great days in the 1960’s, but she had put together a history of the venuebeginning with its origins when the California pool opened as a popular outdoorswimming pool in 1935. The ballroom, built by Edwin Green was situated in frontof the pool located at the bottom of Dunstable Downs and opened in 1960. Ithad two stages, one each end of the dance floor, with a bar above one of thestages. It soon became the place to go to soak up the music and see the bands/groups of the day. Ray Miller was the resident band for the first two years andthe popular local group the Barron Knights were regular performers during theearly 60’s.Edwina Green, Edwin’s daughter was heavily involved in the running of thevenue, and in later years so was Edwin’s grandson Mick Ilka. They wereresponsible for bringing some really topline groups and performers to thestages. These included the Rolling Stones in 1963, followed by many others inthe years that followed; Jimi Hendrix, P J Proby, Pink Floyd, Slade, who in 1972attracted 3500 to the venue. Bob Marley came along with Johnny Nash and TheClash appeared in 1977. Edwin Starr, Hot Chocolate and The Commodores withLionel Ritchie, who didn’t go down too well with the Cali audience who didn’tappreciate his slow ballads. James Brown also made an appearance.DJ’s at the Cali included Carl Edwardsfrom 1968-71, Paul Gray and evenTony Blackburn and Noel Edmonds didtheir bit.Sadly, facing more and morecompetition from other new localvenues such as the Queensway Hall andCeaser’s Palace, the venue eventuallyclosed in 1979 and the site re-developed as a housing estate. But,that wasn’t the end for the fans as theCali-R lives on and still runs verypopular events at local venues such asthe Leisure Centre and in marquees atthe Dunstable Rugby Club ground.Newly installed Chairman PeterHorstman thanked Penny for her verypleasant and interesting talk.
7th July
CaliforniaBallroom
1960-79
Once again John and Hazel had
planned an interesting walk for the
small but intrepid group of ‘Watling
Walkers’. Having negotiated the
narrow lanes, we arrived at the
John Bunyan Pub at Coleman
Green.The family run pub made us
very welcome and after parking our
cars , a welcome coffee and
selecting our lunch menus, we set
off. First of all along the route of
the old Roman road. This was now
just a track past beautiful ancient
trees.
Watling Walkers May 2016Watling Walkers May 2016Watling Walkers May 2016Watling Walkers May 2016Watling Walkers May 2016
John had done his research and
regaled us with lots of local
knowledge on route. He did
however let slip that this was also a
cunning ploy to collect up the
stragglers and provide a brief
respite if needed. We passed the
beautiful old Manor House which
was where John Bunyan had
stayed when preaching in the area.
The house at the time was owned
by Mr Coleman who was one of the
preachers’ supporters.
Although John and Hazel had
forgotten to order our usual
sunshine, we did not get wet, It
was great to enjoy the sights of
all the fresh new spring leaves
and flowers which lined our
route.
This report and photos by
Sheila O’Hara
The humans were accompanied by
our four legged friend who
thoroughly enjoyed the walk , but
appears to give a mixed reception
to the pocket history .
We walked along the banks of the River Lee.
which was which was very beautiful with banks
of yellow irises and shimmering reflections.
Shingles was delighted to go for a swim in fact
was reluctant to come back out of the water. This
stretch of the river must be one of its prettiest on
its journey from Leagrave Marsh to the Thames.
Lots more information on this really
interesting walk was provided on the
noticeboard being digested here by
some of our walkers then onwards
towards lunch at the John Bunyan.
Here we met the non walkers in the
party and a very good lunch was
enjoyed by all, including Shingles who
was welcomed into the bar as a well
behaved dog and rewarded with a dog
biscuit. Thanks once again to John and
Hazel for organizing such an enjoyable
event.
Jim Page
Our own Jim a film star?? Well not exactly, but a regular film extra,
certainly!
On this occasion Jim told of the call on his mobile, which is kept on
at all times awaiting calls to action, requesting him to attend the
production of a film called ‘Youth’. He was to arrive at the location,
Wimbledon theatre, by 9.00am and sign on at the next door building,
a working men’s club. He was required to arrive wearing a dinner
jacket, bow tie etc. as there would be no changing facilities. On
arrival he found he was amongst 450 other extras!
The gathering was served a breakfast, then asked to enter the
theatre and sit in the stalls where the director of the film would re-
arrange them into seats and explain what was expected of them.
Clearly they were effectively an invited audience and were required
to applaud at times in response to a singer or a short burst of music.
As this is the film industry, there were several ‘takes’ during the
course of the day which ended at 5.55pm. Any later and they would
have to have been paid overtime.
The next day followed a similar pattern except that this time they
started in the theatre at 1.00pm sitting in the circle where there was
also a ‘Royal’ box populated by lookalikes.
This time there was a full orchestra, a singer and ...Michael
Caine....no less, as conductor. (He got an unscripted round of
applause, of course)
Again the process of applause and re-takes until the day ended
again at 5.55pm.
Later, when the film was released, Jim and Chris went to see the
film and were delighted to see Jim in a 5 second mid-screen
sequence......fame at last!
Jim ‘s talk was both entertaining as well as informative and he was
thanked by Chairman John on behalf of the members present.
12th May
EXTRA TIMEAdventures of a film extra
LAKENHEATHOur visit to the USAF base
This was an excellent trip organised by Steve
Allen and John Davis. We were met at the
gate by this airman who escorted us for the
whole trip, introducing us to other airmen
and women as we visited various locations.
I think the highlight was to see
two squadrons of F15’s take off
and roar into the air, disappear-
ing into the clouds as they
wheeled over the sky. What a
noise!!
The fuel depot with the huge fuel tendersThe static display of historic US jets at the base
The memorial wall behind the static display
19th May
The memorial to WWII fighters
One of the F15 jets racing into the skies
We had great fun
trying on the heavy
bullet proof body
armour, gas masks and
helmets.
Thanks to the organis-
ers for a great dayout.
The radar display control room
He’s chatting up my wife ...again! Three little girls....are we..!
Mike didn’t like the first one, so he tried lots more Three little girls....are we..! Sorry Dave.
Three little girls....are we..! Haven’t we seen
you before?
Peter tries to make a break for the door, but
is trapped by Norman and Veronica.
The CHAIRMANThe CHAIRMANThe CHAIRMANThe CHAIRMANThe CHAIRMAN’s HANDOVERs HANDOVERs HANDOVERs HANDOVERs HANDOVER
DINNER at the Woburn HotelDINNER at the Woburn HotelDINNER at the Woburn HotelDINNER at the Woburn HotelDINNER at the Woburn HotelJune 2016June 2016June 2016June 2016June 2016
The CHAIRMANThe CHAIRMANThe CHAIRMANThe CHAIRMANThe CHAIRMAN’sssss
HANDOVER DINNERHANDOVER DINNERHANDOVER DINNERHANDOVER DINNERHANDOVER DINNERat theat theat theat theat the
Woburn HotelWoburn HotelWoburn HotelWoburn HotelWoburn Hotel
June 2016June 2016June 2016June 2016June 2016
Seems like a fair swap! What...no tankard! OK Peter .. Now it’s your turn..!
If you were there then we got your picture.
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